Roy Rushton Of Ontario Was Due Back Home Monday

Roy Rushton, of Hamilton, Ontario, was supposed to be gone for just a week before returning to his family Monday, said Jennifer Neumair, a family friend. He and two friends had planned to go to Daytona Beach, Fla., later in the week, she said.But Rushton, 36, a supervisor working on turbine insulation at the Kleen Energy power plant in Middletown, was one of five people killed in Sunday's explosion.

"They're absolutely devastated," Neumair said Monday. "He was supposed to come home tonight."

Rushton, who was "born and bred in Hamilton," lived in the same house he grew up in. He was a subcontractor who frequently traveled for his job.

"He was totally a family man," Neumair said. "He lived for his daughter. He was a very gentle, caring, loving guy."

Rushton traveled to Connecticut last weekend with another Hamilton resident, Adam Young. Young, who told Rushton's wife about the explosion, was not injured.

Rushton volunteered for the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit, a division of the Auxiliary Coast Guard, and was a member of the asbestos workers union. The rescue unit responded to emergencies on Lake Ontario and typically trained on Monday nights.

"He was a well-liked guy," said unit chief Leon Buta. "We're having a tough time tonight without him here. Roy's been on many calls and helped save lives out on the water."

MIDDLETOWN — Voters will likely be asked to approve up to $15 million in additional funding to complete the pump station portion of the project that will link the city with the Mattabassett District in Cromwell.